Chapter 26: Increased Mission Difficulty

It was noon by the time Jiang Ye returned to One Leaf Travel Agency.

"System, settle the accounts!"

[Congratulations to the host for completing the main mission. Reward: half a month of lifespan and a bonus of 200,000.]

[The rewards have been issued.]

As the mechanical voice faded, Jiang Ye could not physically feel any change in his vitality—half a month was too short to notice—but the notification from his bank was undeniably real. Seeing the additional 200,000 in his account, his mood brightened considerably.

[Congratulations to the host for completing the sightseeing mission.]

[Reward: "Piercing the Willow at a Hundred Paces" archery skill.]

[Would you like to redeem it?]

It would be a waste not to redeem a skill. Without hesitation, he chose to proceed.

"Redeem."

The redemption was successful. Instantly, knowledge of archery flooded his mind; he felt as though he had been a veteran archer for decades. It was a pity he didn't have a bow on hand.

Catching sight of a dartboard in the corner, he picked up a dart and took several steps back. When he reached the agency's entrance, he narrowed his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within them. He flicked his wrist, and the dart whistled through the air, piercing the dead center of the bullseye.

"My goodness!"

With this kind of feel, it would surely be even better with an actual bow.

His phone suddenly buzzed. Opening his WeChat, he was instantly overwhelmed by a wall of notifications tagging him.

[@Jiang Ye, Tour Guide Jiang!!!]
[@Jiang Ye, we want to go too!!!]
[@Jiang Ye, you can’t show favoritism!!!]

Jiang Ye replied helplessly: [You have already gone once; you aren't eligible for now.]

As soon as the message was sent, the group exploded.

Zhang Minghui: [What?! There’s a limit on how many times we can go?!]
Wang Haifeng: [Guide Jiang! We were the founding members! (Crying)]
Liu Zhendong: [This thing has a cooldown period?!]
Li Jianguo: [Then when will we be eligible? Next month? The month after?]

Zhang Tao sent a kneeling, begging sticker: [Guide Jiang! Last time we didn't even get to take a photo with Meng Yi, let alone see Qin Shi Huang. It’s unfair! Why did they get to see the First Emperor and take photos with Meng Yi? ┭┮﹏┭┮]

Wang Haifeng asked tentatively: [Is there some kind of mission we need to complete? Just tell us, Guide Jiang! We’re willing to go through fire and water!]

Liu Zhendong followed up: [As long as we can get the qualification, we’ll do anything.]

Jiang Ye looked at the frantic scrolling in the group and felt both amused and exasperated. These people were truly dedicated to returning to the Qin Dynasty.

He honestly didn't know what the system's rules would be next. Don't ask, because he didn't have the answers.

He could only reply: [Wait for the notice.]

Those four words sent the entire group into a chorus of wails.

Inside the travel agency, Jiang Ye hung a "Temporarily Closed" sign on the door. After all, with the system in his possession, standard walk-in business was impossible to manage. He wondered if the system would issue another mission tonight. He waited until midnight, but no task appeared.

Fine, time for bed.

Early the next morning, as soon as he turned on his phone, he found himself added to a new group: "Qin Dynasty Tourism Group 2." Those animals had chatted until two in the morning. He was glad he’d turned his phone off.

After freshening up, Jiang Ye went for a morning jog. On his way back, he ate four spicy tofu buns and a bowl of savory tofu pudding, returning to the agency feeling full. He waited until noon, but the system remained silent.

"Strange, is it not one mission per day?"

Late that night, just as he was about to fall asleep, he finally heard the system's sweet chime.

[Ding! Host, please solicit ten tourists from "Yunxiang Villa" for a two-day (48-hour) trip to the Qin Dynasty in 218 BC. Price: 4,000 yuan per person. Note: Tourists must be owners of properties in "Yunxiang Villa." Recruitment time: 48 hours, starting from midnight.]

[Mission Reward: One month of lifespan added, 400,000 in cash.]

Seeing the target demographic, Jiang Ye’s vision went dark. Yunxiang Villa was a famous luxury villa complex in Hangzhou, home to the ultra-wealthy. His parents had run the agency for years and had never once served clients from that neighborhood; those people usually went for high-end, private, bespoke tours. Why would they ever come with him, especially to a destination like the Qin Dynasty?

He realized his previous recruitment tactics wouldn't work here. He didn't know anyone living in Yunxiang Villa, but perhaps someone in his contacts did.

He posted a status on his WeChat Moments: [Does anyone know anyone who lives in Yunxiang Villa? Urgent help needed!]

A status update alone wouldn't be enough. He knew plenty of peers in the tourism industry and was in countless group chats. He began messaging them one by one, not sparing the two Qin Dynasty tour groups either.

[Does anyone know anyone who lives in the Yunxiang Villa complex?]

Qin Dynasty Tour Group 1 (5 members)

As soon as Jiang Ye appeared, the group came to life.

Zhang Minghui: [No. What's wrong, Guide Jiang?]
Wang Haifeng: [Isn't that a rich neighborhood? Do I look like I know people there?]
Liu Zhendong: [No acquaintances.]
Zhang Tao: [I might have some among my fans. Want me to ask?]
Li Jianguo: [No.]

Jiang Ye replied directly to Zhang Tao: [Please ask for me.]

Zhang Minghui: [Guide Jiang, is something going on?]

Jiang Ye didn't beat around the bush and explained his intent: [The third Qin Dynasty tour is opening up. The prerequisite is that they must be homeowners in Yunxiang Villa.]

The five men erupted upon seeing this. They had completely ignored the condition and focused only on the trip.

Zhang Tao: [I want to sign up! I want to sign up!]
Li Jianguo: [Guide Jiang, I want to take my wife and child.]

Jiang Ye reminded them: [You can go if you are a homeowner in Yunxiang Villa. Brothers, please help me ask around if anyone knows an owner there. For every person referred, I’ll provide a commission.]

Zhang Tao: [Ahhh! Why must it be a homeowner from Yunxiang Villa?!]
Zhang Minghui: [Guide Jiang, I'll ask for you.]
Liu Zhendong: [I'll ask too.]

...

Qin Dynasty Tour Group 2 (8 members)

The eight members of this group were night owls and were all awake at this hour. As soon as Jiang Ye appeared, they all caught the scent.

Fang Gaochang: [That name sounds familiar, I wonder who lives there?]
Shi Xiaoyu: [My family can't afford that place (laughing-crying)]
Zheng Chen: [I don't even know where the front gate is.]
Li Lin: [+1]
Wu Xiaoshi: [+1]
Zhao Lei: [+1]
Li Jun: [+1]

Jiang Kai suddenly popped up: [My buddy Qiao Wenbai lives there! A total tycoon! Guide Jiang, what's up?]

Once Jiang Kai spoke, the others remembered too. It was no wonder they hadn't thought of it immediately; they only knew Qiao Wenbai casually through Jiang Kai and hadn't spent much time together.